Nigeria Secures $25.35m Kuwait Loan to Address Kaduna’s Education Emergency

The Federal Government has obtained a $25.35 million concessional loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to combat Kaduna State’s out-of-school children crisis, part of a $62.8 million international financing package for education reform.

According to a Tuesday statement by Federal Ministry of Finance spokesperson Mohammed Manga, the funds will support the Reaching Out-of-School Children program targeting marginalized groups including girls, children with disabilities, and displaced populations.

“In a significant step towards improving access to quality education in Nigeria, the Federal Government and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development have partnered to support the Reaching Out-of-School Children programme in Kaduna State,” the statement read.

“This partnership is built on a $25.35m concessionary loan agreement signed today between the Federal Government of Nigeria, on behalf of Kaduna State and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.”

The initiative aims to enroll 100,000 children, construct 102 climate-resilient schools, and rehabilitate 170 existing learning centers across underserved communities. Finance Minister Wale Edun, represented by Minister of State Doris Uzoka-Anite, emphasized the government’s focus on measurable outcomes, noting the urgent need to address northern Nigeria’s education deficit.

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani confirmed the state’s $1 million counterpart funding and increased education budget allocation to 26% for 2025. Kuwait Fund DG Dr. Wahid Al-Bahar described the project as “an investment in hope” that prioritizes sustainable enrollment and learning outcomes over physical infrastructure alone.

The financing consortium includes:

• Islamic Development Bank ($10.5m loan)

• Global Partnership for Education ($15.45m grant)

• Education Above All Foundation ($10m grant)

• Save the Children International ($0.5m technical assistance)

The Federal Ministry of Finance will oversee implementation tracking through regular assessments of enrollment figures, teacher training progress, and academic performance indicators to ensure accountability.